Process of preparing and delivering plurality of audible messages and apparatuses therefor

ABSTRACT

Audio recording and playback systems provide for automatically starting and stopping playback of sequences of different taped audio messages of variable duration in sequential combination with periods of playing of background music during periods when such audible messages are not desired to be played. The systems include a unique monitoring unit with an input responsive to yet not interfering with the audio input to the system which provides output signals which, in cooperation with counter and logic units, control mechanical and other operations of the system.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,889,290

Seaton June 10, 1975 [54] PROCESS OF PREPARING AND 3,291,919 12/1966 Robitaille 360/72 DEL V G PLURALITY OF AUDIBLE 3,755,818 8/1973 Greenspan 360/12 MESSAGES AND APPARATUSES THEREFOR Primary Examiner-Terrell W. Fears Assistant Examiner-Stewart Levy [75] Inventor: William J. Seaton, Kearns, Utah Attorney Agent, or Silverman [73] Assignee: George B. Cree, Jr., Pampa, Tex.

22 Filed: Aug. 27, 1973 ABSTRACT [21] APPL No: 392,056 Audio recording and playback systems provide for automatically starting and stopping playback of sequences of different taped audio messages of variable [52] US. Cl. 360/12; 179/100.1 C duration in sequential combination with periods of [51] Int. Cl. ..G1lb 15/02; Gllb 15/06 playing of background music during periods when [58] Field of Search 360/12, 72, 74; such audible messages are not desired to be played 179/1001 C, 100-1 PS The systems include a unique monitoring unit with an input responsive to yet not interfering with the audio References Cted input to the system which provides output signals UNITED STATES PATENTS which, in cooperation with counter and logic units, 2,960,577 11/1960 Pray et a1 360/12 Control mechanical and other Operations of the y 2,965 72O 12/1960 Bumstcad et al. 360/12 m- 2,995,630 8/1961 Kabrick et a1 179/100.1 PS 3,147,346 9/1964 Herman 179/1001 c 5 Clams, 17 Drawmg Figures 205 TIME Q START I DELAY COUNTER I l 7 7 8 g PS 1 7 65 7 l $07 k 72 MOTOR T BACKGROUND CONT- EN MUSIC PATENTEDJUH 10 I975 SHEET now ow m2 SHEET PATENTEDJUN 10 I975 WVN bmm QVN PATENTEDJUHIO m5 3.889.290

SHEET 7 I" -I 4oo 4' q4o2 4 205 TIME Q29 START I DELAY COUNTER i I 7 7 "s 3' x 1 8 J7 65 7\J! I l 7 p408) BACKGROUND F/@ 2 l LISTEN MUSIC FIGS FIG/O TYPICAL OF AI I [o8 OUTPUTS EQUIVALENT OF EACH I08 INPUT REQ R INPUT ouTPuT R-IOO n NOM J I ALL RESETS 5 m PATENTEDJUH 10 1975 SHEET FIG. IA

5 6 FIG. IB

FIG. IE

195? fie l FIG/D 3 8 89.290 PATENTEDJIIII I 0 I975 SHEET 9 VCC 46 4A 4-Y 35 3A .3Y

l4 I3 I2 ll I0 9 a IA 18 IY 2A 2B 2Y GND POSITIVE LOGIC: Y=A+B=Z-BA EQUIVALENT OF TYPICAL OF EACH INPUT OF I07 5 OUTPUTS OF I07 VCC IaonNo 4-KQNOM INPUT SZ SI OUTPUT PROCESS OF PREPARING AND DELIVERING PLURALITY OF AUDIBLE MESSAGES AND APPARATUSES THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. The Field of the Invention The fields of the art to which this invention pertains are tape recording and switch controlled phonographs.

2. The Prior Art The prior art has provided background music and, separately, audible messages at point of sale, e.g. US. Pat. Nos. 2,866,646; 3,244,541 and 3,309,776 but has no provision for readily and automatically changing the sequence of operation of recording and initiation of repeatedly playing sequences of audible messages of varied lengths in combination with automatic interspersion of periods of playing non-repetitive attractive background music.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A magnetic tape player and recorder in its play mode is used in combination with automatic starter mechanism, a counter, and a monitoring circuit controlled by the audio input signal. The sales message play periods arestarted on command and continue automatically until the messages are completed. After each audio output period, and a predetermined safety period, other steps automatically follow including rewind. The apparatus in its recording mode provides for making records of sales messages of various lengths with automatic cutoff shortly after cessation of the audio input onto the magnetic tape. The system includes components to play background music when sales messages are not being produced. The convenient and ready variation of time and content of message permitted by this system provides a flexible operation readily responsive to varied commercial needs because it is readily changed in short periods of times. The automatic control of the varied combination of playback is effected using standard magnetic tape cassettes. The automatic switching on of background music between presentation invites the attention of the listener prior to presentation of the various and varied audio sales messages.

This system accommodates the replay of sales messages of varying lengths even in view of varying volume of their audio output of such messages from a playback head on a tape deck. The apparatus includes a reliable switching circuit whereby to operate reliably notwithstanding the variations in volume and the presence of stray capacities due to the closely connected circuit elements where the elements are closely packed together and there are temperature variations due to temperature changes in the area in which the apparatus is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D form portions of one schematic diagram, the overall relations of which are shown in FIG. 1F;

FIG. IE is a wiring diagram of components controlling background music;

FIG. 1F shows connecting wires between the components shown in FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, which combination is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 2 is an overall block diagram of the particular components and units of FIGS. lA-lE arrayed as in FIG. 1F and including components of FIG. 1E;

FIG. 3 is a representation of the connecting components shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D (combined as in FIG. 1F) with the additional background music components of FIG. 1E operatively combined therewith;

FIG. 4 is a logic and terminal diagram of the integrated circuit 107;

FIG. 5 shows the equivalent of each input thereof; FIG. 6 shows the equivalent of each output thereof;

FIG. 7 is a logic diagram of like units 108 and 106 while FIG. 8 is a terminal diagram thereof (108 is shown);

FIGS. 9 and 10 are separate equivalent electronic diagrams of each of the output and inputs of unit 108 and 106;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the interior of the overall assembly 1 while FIG. 12 is a view of the same apparatus 1 in the operative position of apparatus and partially closed position of the cover of the casing. DE- SCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1. Overall Assembly The apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of this invention comprises cooperative and synergistic combination of, as shown in FIGS. 1F and 2, an electronic unit start assembly 400, a time delay assembly 402, a counter control assembly 404, a power source assembly 307, a motor and servo control assembly 406, a listening control unit 408, an amplifier unit 197 (with speaker) and a tape recorder and playback unit 315. The components of these electronic units and assemblies (400, 402, 404, 307 and 406, 408, 197) are firmly and rigidly attached to and supported on a rigid insulating base 5 together with unit 315. Base 5 is firmly fixed to a pivotally movable cover (2C) of the casing 2. A standard 2 /2 inch X 4 inches X inch tape cassette 317 is removably located on tape spindles of the unit 315. FIGS. 11 and 12 are drawn to scale to show the overall size of the apparatus and its 12 inch X 12 inch X 6 inch casing. The wheel, 3, of a vehicle operating on a hose 4 connected to a pneumatic switch 301 of start unit 400 is shown in FIG. 12.

The functions and sequences of operation effected by the apparatus 1 are described herebelow. The electrical characteristics of the separate components of the apparatus units of the apparatus 1 are listed in Table I; the components of these units referred to in the below textual description of operation are connected as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and 1E: Electrical conditions of operation of the transistor and integrated circuit components and other critical points are measured at the terminals of those components in the apparatus 1 and are quantitatively set out in Table IIA and Table IIB. Different steps and conditions of operation of apparatus 1 are set out in Table IIIA and IIIB. The operating mode of the transistors of apparatus 1 in those different steps and conditions of operation of the apparatus 1 are qualitatively set out in Table IIIC.

While the following description of operation refers principally to the playback mode of apparatus 1 in the array shown in FIG. 2, a description of operation on the recording mode is provided in the section entitled Recording Mode herebelow.

The listening circuit 408 includes transistors (O3) 122, (O4) 125, (O5) 127 and (O6) 130 and (O7) 132; resistors directly connected thereto with 114A, 1148, 124, 115, 126, 116, 128, 129, 131 and 117 and capacitors 119, 123 and 133 and diodes 120 and 121 and connections therebetween operatively connected as shown in FIGS. 1B and IF.

The motor and servo control assembly 406 comprises, in cooperative combination, a motor start control circuit 405 and a motor stop and servo control assembly 407 and a servo power assembly 409. These circuits are operatively tied together and to the listening circuit components cooperatively and synergistically but are grouped as herein described for purpose of reference.

The motor start control circuit 405 includes transistors 141, 142 and,l48, capacitator 146 and resistors 139, 140, 143, 145, 147 and 126 directly connected thereto and the connections therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 1A and IF, and also transistors 125 and 127 and resistors 116 and 115.

The motor stop and servo control assembly 407 includes transistors (Q2) 118, (Q13) 152, (O14) I54, (Q) 157, (Q6) 130 and resistors 113, 155, 137, 149, 150, 156, 158 and 129, capacitators 144, 151 and 153, diode, 136, motor 316 and the counter assembly 404 and the connections therebetween connected as shown in FIG. 1F.

The servo control circuit 409 is a part of the motor control assembly 406 and includes transistors 134 (Q8),135 (Q9), 138(Q16), 157 (Q15) and 154 (Q14) and 159 (Q17), diode 136, resistor 129, 137 and 155, 156 and 158 and servo motor 304 and play switch 306 and rewind switch 305 and the connections therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 1F and 18.

Power Lines In operation, the ac. power from plug (P1) 307 passes through the transformer line 308 to the terminal 310. The switch ,310 is connected by ground line 3 (which is shown in'FIG. 1C) to brnach line 3' to the terminal l82 and thence to ground. I

The output of the transformer output 308 is connected by lines 68B and 63 through rectifiers 309A and 309B to the high voltage line 6B. The line 6B, at one branch, 6L, passes high voltage through the integrated circuit 197, which is an audio amplifier, while the main line 6 passes high voltage (about 9 volts) to the integrated circuit 101, which is a 5 volt voltage regulator with an output regulated voltage line 7 and a ground line 3.

The line'7 provides rectified DC power to the amplifier 197-and components of start unit 400, of time delay unit 402, of counter assembly 404, of motor control assembly 406 and its subassemblies 405, 407, 409, of motor 316, of listening unit 408 and (as line 7C) to background music assembly, as shown for line 7C in FIG. 1E and as lines 7 and 7A-7E in FIG. 1F.

Starting Assembly Operation The unit starting assembly 400 is composed of a pneumatic switch 301 or an external switch 303 and a timer switch 300. In the circuit shown in FIGS. lA-lD and IF, these provide, when actuated by a car wheel as shown in FIG. 12, for closing a signal circuit and thereby passing a signal through the signal line 205 through the shorting plug 205A between terminals 180 and 178 into the resistor 162 of the time delay. unitf402. In the array shown in FIG. 3, wherein additional circuit components are provided, the time delay unit of 402 is bypassed or short circuited by line 29A which connects to plugs 191 and 192 to line 205 via plug 196 andpro- 4 videsfor an instantaneous provision of power through thep1ug192 andth'ence tothe output line 29 of tube 166 (Q1) to directly activate the counter circuit unit 106.

l Time Delay Unit Time delay unit 402 is composed of an NPN transist'or 166, a base connected stabilizing resistor 164B,

' base connected capacitator 163 and emitter connected resistor 164E and biasing base connected resistor 162. The input or activating signal from the start unit 400 enters the transistor through the base bias resistor 162 from point or terminal 321 via line 205- and terminals 180, 181, shorting line 205A, and terminals 179, and 178 and line 205B from the switches 301 or-303 or 300 which transmit power from the regulated power supply line 7. Voltage bleed-off occurs through the capacitator 163; according to the preferred embodiment of this invention, there is a 5 second delay following signal application to resistor 162, following which tube 166 conducts from the regulated voltage line 7 to its output line 29, from the transistor 166, andthereby to input 14' of the counting unit integrated circuit unit 106.

Tape Deck and Motorboard The tape recorder deck 315 comprises ga-standard tape transport mechanism or motorboard; it supports a motor 316 which carries standard magnetic, recording A: inch wide tape 418 from reels 317 and 317'. within a cassette 317 past a recorder-playback head 318 wound with wire coils which provide an electrical signal to a preamplifier stage. The deck thus comprises a standard motorboard with tape drive and magnetic playback head and a reversing mechanism 319 to .re-

playback head 318 and carries the audio signal to a junction 208.

The audio signal line 204A passes from the junction 208 toplug 186, shorting plugs 1,85 and 187 (as shown in FIG. 1F) to the resistor 176 and the adjustable vol- 1 ume potentiometer 175 and thence into the amplifier integrated circuit unit 197. The output of the amplifier circuit 197,1ine 96, passes to connector 340 and, in the playback array shown in FIG. 1F, that outputpasses to one terminal of an adjustable potentiometer 311 and thence to speaker 312. The other terminal of resistor 311 is connected to ground through connector 329. The junction 208 is also operatively connected'to the listening branch 204. That branch is connected to the input capacitator 119 of the listening or sound signal sensing unit 408.

Starting of Motor 316 The impulse from line 29 to the integrated circuit 7490, item106 on FIG. 1A, provides a low voltage inhibiting control signal via line 8 to transistor 141 (Q10) which permits (Q11) transistor 142 to fire or conduct." Accordingly, with passage of such signal through transistor 142, the circuit to the motor 316 of the tape deck 315 is completed through the return line 50 and resistor 143 although no signal yet passed through capacitator 1.19. When 106 and 108 provide equal signals, then the output of 107 is a low voltage cut-off signal and transistor 142 (Q11) remains conductive; however, if 106 and. 108 are not in balance, then a high signal comes out to transistor 141.

Sound Control of Operation The basic circuitry involved in the listening unit 408 is an NPN transistor 132 (Q7) with its collector tied through a resistor 117 (R22) to the regulated power source line 7A and a capacitator 133 (C7) connected to that collector. Another NPN transistor 122 (Q3) has its collector tied to a power source through resistors 124 and 116 whereby to effect a substantial amplification of signals passed to its base. Resistors 114A and 1143, one of which is adjustable, are connected to the base of the transistor 122 (Q3) and the base of that transistor 57 is tied to the negative side of a capacitator 133 attached to the collector of transistor 132 (Q7). A diode series 121 and 120, attheir intermediate point 56 (P of 120 and N of 121) is connected to one plate of the capacitator 119. The other plate of capacitator 119 is connected to and is actuated by the audio line from the audio circuit 204, which line (204) is fed by the tape deck output line 204B to the junction 208.

nected to one end of capacitator 133, the other end of which capacitator is tied to a collector of an NPN transistor 132 which collector end of the NPN transistor is connected through a resistor 117 through a regulated voltage in line7A (same as line 7). The emitter of the transistor 122 (Q3) is tied to ground 3 while the collector of NPN transistor'122 is connected through two resistors 124 and 116 to a regulated positive voltage and to an input line38 to the counter circuit 108. The base 'of the transistor 132 (Q7 is connected by a resistor 131 to the same resistor 116 to which the base connected resistor 124 of the transistor 125 is connected.

The transistor 125 (Q4) has its collector connected to a-resistor 115 and therethrough to the regulated voltage line 7A while the collector of that transistor 125 is also connected through another resistor 126 to the base of a transistor 127 (Q5). The collector of that transistor 127 is connected by resistor 116 to the 5V. regulated voltage and that transistor collector is also connected,

by line 38, to the input (14* terminal) of the counter circuit 108.

A motor control transistor 130 (Q6) has its base con nected'to a resistor 128, the other end of which resistor 128 is also connected to the resistor 116 and collector of the transistor 127.

In operation, this relationship of the capacitator 133 to the transistor 132 maintains the line 71 at a negative audioinput line 204'provides a continual although pulsating negative voltage at the line 56 solong as there is an audio input coming from along line 204 (from junction 208) toward the ground line 89 (which is the portion of ground line 3 adjacent to to which the diode 120- is connected.

Accordingly, so long as audio signal is being transferred from the tape deck to the capacitator 119, the base of the transistor 122 is maintained at a negative value and no conduction occurs through transistor 122. When, however,,at the end of each message, sound ceases to be produced from tape 418 on reels 317 and 317" moved by motor 316 past the tape head 318, the pumping action of the capacitator 119 and the diode network 120 and 121 ceases passing negative pulses to the base of transistor 122 and the capacitator 133 bleeds off through the resistors 114A and 114B until (after 20 seconds in the particular adjustment and embodiment shown), the voltage at the base of transistor 122 is sufficiently high (high relative to the voltage between line 3 and the regulated voltage through line 7A) so that the transistor 122 will conduct.

Each time there is such a cessation of sound and a concurrent cessation of electrical signal input at capacitator 119 with the transistor 122 in conducting mode, it changes the bias at the base of transistor 125 and causes a signal through resistor 126 which is reflected through resistor 116 to the line 38 and provides, through line 38, to the input of the counter unit 108, a signal which is an indication or count of the number of messages played by the tape 418.

More particularly, when transistor 122 (Q3) conducts or fires bias control transistor 125 and motor control transistor 127 are put in their non-conducting cutoff mode; on cut-off of transistor 125, the voltage drop of resistors 115 and 126 decreases and transistor 127 (Q5) fires; when transistor 127 fires (or conducts), it cuts off and sends an impulse through the line 38. Such actuation of unit 108 also effects the motor con trol transistor 142 (Q11) as below described. This circuit, accordingly, translates the oscillatory output of the audio sound to a triggering impulse by use of the oscillatory capacity of the capacitance C5 (119) to provide a triggering action and flip-flop operation, with circuits 106-108 resetting the apparatus for its next message play.

When transistor 122 fires, motor transistor 130 is cut off and also the counting of play via line 38 at the end of each audio message provides a signal to the counter at 108 and it sends a high voltage signal (if the counter is not at the end of its count) to transistor 141 (Q10) base which fires Q10 and cuts off motor transistor 142 until another impulse comes in at 29. After the desired number of messages is played, a high voltage signal is sent to base of 118 and the servo is thereby actuated to provide for reversing tape wind direction.

The base voltage applied to transistor 141 (Q10) is raised (to 0.65 volt) by the circuits 106-108 when each signal indicating one message has been completed (i.e., sound is cutoff) and passed from collector of transistor 127 (Q5) by line 38 to integrated circuit unit 108: this count signal input provides an output signal along line 8 that makes transistor 141 (Q10) conductive. Thereby, connection of power to motor 316 through transistor 142 (Q11) is cut off (in combination with cut off of power through transistor 130 when audio signal was cut off). Thus, no power is passed to motor 316 and movement of the tape 418 stops on firing of transistor 122, which occurs at end of each audio mes sage.

Movement of tape 418 and another tape message audio signal series to 119 resume when the tapeis not at end of its count or the tape is not at its end following the next actuation of start unit 400, as by a tire, as 3, actuating switch 301, and delay circuit 402 to pass a signal by line 29 to integrated circuit unit 106 and thereby begin again the cycle of operation of audio controlled movement of tape 418 on deck 316 by the next audio message on tape 418.

Transistor 148 (Q12) is saturated when transistor 141 (Q10) is actuated (made conductive) and transistor 142 (Q11) is then cut off and keeps Q (transistor 127) from firing: although transistor 122 (Q3) be saturated, and so avoid counting of plays until after motor 30 is running. Transistor 148 (Q12) releases transistor 127 (Q5) after transistor 142 (Q11) is saturated by firing of transistor 141 (Q) on signal thereto from unit 107.

Changes and Steps at End of Tape and Following End of Count The servo 304 is an electromagnetic switch that moves a normally open play switch 305 to close and open a normally closed rewind switch 306 and moves gears 319 on the tape deck to provide for change from play or rewind mode of operation to the other. The servo is actuated by end of tape or end of count action effected by the circuitry of FIG. 1F.

The counter circuit output line 5 issues from the integrated circuit 108, on completion of the final message for which the circuit 108 is set, feeds a signal voltage to the base of transistor 118 (Q2) which, with 5 volt collector-emitter voltage applied thereto, renders conductive (or trips) that transistor and, via capacitator 144, similarly, trips and fires cut-off transistors 152 (Q13) and 157 (Q) and this actuates the servo but cuts off voltage theretofore sent to base of transistor 130 (Q6): this end of tape action also disconnects power to the motor 316 on the tape deck 315.

In a similar mode of using transistors 152 (Q13), 154 (Q14) and 157 (Q15) when the tape 419 on one reel is at its end, the motor 316 pulls or draws more current. This increase in current causes an increase in the voltage drop across resistor 149 and the resultant potential change at base of transistor 152 (Q13) causes a change of mode of transistors 154 (Q14) and 157 (Q15), 152 and 157 to saturation from cut-off and 154 to cut-off from saturation as for the end; thus, the end of tape provides a condition where the voltage drop across and resistance 149 increases and, as at end of count operation, provides a triggering action that flips the servo motor sufficiently for it to move from one position of tape movement to the other. When the tape reaches the end of its travel in the other direction, the same condition of current through the resistor 149 will cause the tape to again cause an increase in current through the resistor 149 and move the servo to its play position or mode from rewind position or mode following servo mode change and resulting impulse to counter circuit. A signal to transistor 141 (Q10) base, by line8, from the counter circuit connects power to transistor 141 (Q11) and drives motor 316 and rewinds the tape 418 until end of tape action increased current and increased voltage dropat resistor 149 causes servo (via Q12, 13, 14 and 15) to again change its mode (to play mode from rewind mode): the second end of tape signal to the counter causes a shut-off signal to be sent to Q10 (141) and all components of apparatus 1 come to their rest mode.

Subsequent actuation of the start assembly 400, as by pressure on pressure sensitive line 4 and closing switch 301 by a tire as 3 of a vehicle in a service station entry or by the weight of the foot of a customer or other means of sensing such a person near to a self-service counter or like point of potential sale to a customer for goods or services of the proprietor of the establishment at the location of such point of sensing the presence of the customer, actuates another cycle of operation of the components shown in FIGS. 1-12 as hereinabove described.

Record Mode As in the wiring diagram shown, deck 315 supports a triple pole switch 413. The switch 413 comprises points 416B, 414B and 411, switch arms 412, 414 and 416 and control arm 413B. As shown in FIG. 1D, arm 416 connects speaker 312 at point 416B to potentiometer 311 and the switch arm 414 connects the head 318 to the line 204B through one switch point 414B and arm 4163 so that when music is played, the audio signal from head 318 derived from tape 418 goes from 204B to junction 208 and to the amplifier 197 and speaker 312, as above described. When the double pole switch 413 is put in the position to close switch 412 (on point 411) and open the junctions between contacts 4148 and 414 and arm 416 and point 416B, the apparatus 1 with microphone 424 connected to jack 314, serves as an audio input controlled recorder.

When the switch 413 is moved by its handle 413B to close the contact from line 7 to point 411, it closes a circuit through the erase head 415; the power from line 7 also goes through switch arm 412 to feed into the standard a.c. bias unit 410 to provide such signal to the head 318 and place power from the amplifier output line 96 into the recording head 318 with a.c. bias.

The sound signal under these circumstances, is provided by a microphone 424. The signal is then put into the external audio plug 314, passes by line 203 to the connector 171, which is, in turn, connected to the plug and also thereby to plug 187. Thereby, one portion of the input audio signal passes to the line 204A, at junction 208, and the listening circuit 408, and another to the amplifier 197 through plugs 185 and 184 and resistor 176 and line 96 and, via the potentiometer 311 and the recording line 417, through the a.c. bias apparatus 410 to the recording head 318 and thence on to the adjacent tape 419.

The listening assembly 408 and the counter assembly 404, as well as the motor control 406, operate in the same manner as hereinabove described to provide power to motor 316 while sound is on in the recording circuit; the input 424 and assembly 408 operate similarly to stop movement of the tape at end of each message. The operator starts the tape moving by closing a switch as 303 and, after one message and automatic cut-off of tape movement thereafter, adds as many messages of differing lengths as desired (after closing a switch as 301 to initiate movement of the tape) to the tape 419.

Background Music lnterposition The components arranged in circuit of FIG. 1E used in combination with the apparatus of FIGS. lA-lB, 1C and ID, as shown in FIG. 3, including the taped message tape 419 and deck 315 provide for automatic interposition of background music when the taped message audio signal ceases. Line 65, whichis attached to the collector of transistor 125 and at the low voltage end (48) of resistor 115 (in FIG. 1B) in the listening circuit 408, controls the operation and output of the background music assembly.

With arms 414 and 416 of switch 413 in their closed position, as in FIG. 1D, an external speaker is plugged into the external audio plug 314 as shown for external sound source tape deck 425. This background music sound signal passes by the line 203 to plug or connectors 170 and 171: background music is thereby passed into the audio system through plug 171 and out through plug or connector 185 and therefrom into the amplifier 197 and the speaker 312 continuously unless or until a message audio signal from tape 418 is passed into the circuit of FIG. 13 from the tape deck 315 which activates the listening circuit and thereby changes the mode of transistor 125, as above described. Such activation of the transistor 125 creates a signal in line 65 which passes to plug 189 and through the transistors 1344, 1346 and 352. The passage of such current, accordingly, provides that, when the listening assembly 408 is activated by an audio signal through capacitator 119 and the line 65 is activated, that the circuit of FIG. 1E operates to activate point 187 so that the message sound output from the tape 418 deck 315 is passed into plug 185 and resistor 176 (as well as activating point 204 and the listening circuit 408). When the line 65 is not pulsed, then the audio input from the external source 425 will be connected to the plug or terminal 185 and thence to the amplifier 197 and speaker 312.

The signal through line 65 operates the transistors 1344, 1346 or 352 to either cut-off the usual audio signal coming from the tape deck or to cut off the background music signal. When a low voltage signal current passes through line and to circuit of FIG. 1B, it provides a low, cut off, voltage to its transistors 1344 and 352, hence does not interfere with passage of signal along line 232 from line 204A to terminal 186 and 187 to line 204D by terminals 185 and 184 (See FIGS. 1E and 3). However, the low voltage signal to transistor 1344 leaves it (1344) in cut-off mode and causes transistor 362 to conduct and thereby shorts out or cuts out the signal from the background music line (at the junction point 242 between resistors 357 and 358).

Accordingly, the apparatus of FIG. 3 provides that there is a continuous emission of sound from the loud speaker 312, either by the background music system or by the tape recorder system that is provided in FIG. 1F. Further, the system of FIG. 3 permits that the audio input 424 be used to produce automatic interspersion of periods of background music between recorded sales messages when (with audio input 424) switch 413 is connected as described above for the record mode.

Common components of tape recorders and terminology hereinabove referred to and as known to those skilled in the art are set out in Encyclopedia Brittanica, Volume 21, 1969 Edition, Library of Congress Card No. 69-10039, pages 682-284, and Tape Recorders, Second Edition, Seventh Printing, by Charles G. Westcott and Richard F. Dubbe, Copyright 1964, published by Howard W. Sams & Co., Inc., Library of Congress Card No. 64-24251.

Descriptive data on components above-described and shown in FIGS. 1l2 are provided in TABLES I-VI 5 appended hereto as Insert A and attached hereto.

TABLE I ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEPARATE COMPONENTS OF APPARATUS 1 No. Condenser [FIG] Resistor [FIG] Transistor [FIG] Rectifier [FIG] Other [FIG] CI 33113 A 101 1C Lp-309K A 103 R2 10K A 104 R3 10.K A

106 lCA SN7490 A 107 1CC SN7486 A 108 lCB SN7490 A 109A C4 0.1p.f A

110 R10 10.K A

113 R13 1.0K A

114A R19 1 Megohm B 114B R15 20K B 115 R16 330 ohms B 116 R19 330 ohms B 117 R22 1.0Kohms B 118 O2 2N5172 B 119 C5 30pf6V B 120 CR21N914 B 121 CR1 IN914 B 122 O3 SN5172 B 123 C6 1.0;Lf6v B 124 R17 10.0K B

125 O4 2N5172 B 126 R18 22K B 127 O5 2N5172 B 128 R20 820 ohms B 129 R21 220 ohms B 130 Q6 2N3415 B 131 R23 22.01( B 132 O7 2N5172 B 133 07 47,11 tant B 134 O8 2N3415 B 135 O9 2N5355 B 136 CR3 IN914 B 137 R33 100.0ohms B TABLE I Continued ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEPARATE COMPONENTS OF APPARATUS l Condenser Resistor [FIG] Transistor [FIG] Rectifier [FIG] Other C10100uf6v C11 lprf c12 01 1f C13 0.1

03 room c1s 2200 c 16 100,

C18 3311f C17 10m COW R24 1.0K R25 2214 R29 2.2ohms R30 22K R31 100 ohms R32 20 ohms R39 5.1Kohms R6 22 ohms R7 56K R 270 ohms R34 10 ohms R37 10K R36 56K R38 10 ohms (P R22 100 ohms R8 10K Pot R9 5.1K

R1 3.3K R2 1K WW WWWUJU Q10 2N5172 B Q112N5172 B Q122N5172 B Q15 2N3415 B Plug Plug Plug Plug Plug Speaker 3.2-8 ohms External Jack External Audio IVRMS TPQZOO Tape Deck Plug Connectors Q 2N5172 E Short plug from 184-1 86 Plug Connectors 0000 UUUUUUUUUUU 000 TAB LE I Continued ELEcTRIcAUC ARACTERISTICS OF THE SEPARATE COMPONENTS OF APPARATUS 1 No. Condenser [FIG] Resistor [FIG] Transistor [FIGI' Rectifier [FIG] Other [F] 1344 Q2N5l72 E R4 22K Q 2N5l72 E 1347 t. Rii 5.lK 1348 C 33p.f E 1349 I Ri2 5.1K 350 N/R 3g; N/R 3 2N5 I72 353 N/R Q E 354 N/R 355 N/R 356 CI 100,; E Ri3 5.1K E 358 R14 5.1K E 359 R6 5.lK E 360 C 33M E I 361 R7 5.lK E t Q 2N5 I 72 E TABLE [IA TABLE [IA-Continued VOLTAGE TESTS DURING OPERATION VOLTAGE TESTS DURING OPERATION NO. LOCATION OPERATIONAL DATA NO. LOCATION OPERATIONALDATA l. 7 (l3+) Initial Preset ChargeV. 53 (159E 138E) gja gg g 2. 1663 Start LC. 106 at 1.2;

Activated at 1;?) .0 or ini- LEGEND 3 1 5 C at collector (c.g. l l8C collector of l 18) [18C -i B=atbase(e.g. ll8B=Baseofll8) 5. 5 (1 183) Unit Reset at Rest .1 Shut ofi signal from ICC .6SV TABLE B 6. 58 (118E) A0; Servo on .02 7. 47 Set for 20 Sec. Discharge TERMINAL CONDITIONS OF OPERATION (122C) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT uNITs 106, 107 and 10s 9. 57 (122B) Momentary On 4V R=.52 48 (125C) A='38 (:49 Integrated Circuit Units ll. 61 (125B) A=.7 R=.O4 I2. 64 (125E) A=0 R=0 0 I06 108 107 49 A=3'8 R='42 Terminal 1' 14' 1" 14'' 1 14 14. 72B (1278) Momentary On =0 R=.68 A=.38 l5. 72E (127E) A=O R=O I6. (130C) A=.46 R=5 5.53 {i -Ii I7. 67 (130B) A=l.l R=.4 3 [-16 R-24 R-8 18. 68 (130E) R#) Momentary On .6 (A= 4 l R-() R-l .34 Varies with Motor) 5 5-0 5-0 R-l 19. 7O (132C) A=.O5 R=5 2 .0 .0 R.8 20. 132B A=.67 R=.4 7 .0 .0 Rh 2]. 69 (I325) A=O R=O 8 A3 9- R1 k-l R.8 22. 51 (I343, I358) R=4.4 Servo Rewmd=.l A3-8. R-l R-l R-lz Play=4.4 lg ,0 .0 R. 23. 6(I34C) 3.41? f R d 11 R R-l R-8 w 24. 54 (134E) .3erRvgglirgcfag o i7e ind 0 A3-8lR-12 Nrlzo D' t' R 25' (135E) Ion ewm 14 A43, R.45 R42, A3.8 R5.l

26. 135E R=0 Servo Action=.0l 27. (141C) 73 A= .l6 LEGEND: 28. 8 (I418) Unit Reset at Rest .l A Activated Signal from l08=.65 R Rest 29. so (l4lE) A=0 Servo On==.02 5 30. 82 (142C) R=.(s)2 Mrjimgiztagy 3i; (Motor urge 3]. 78 (I428) =.l6 R=.59 TABLE 111A 32. 72 (148C) Momentary On=0 A=.38 I

R='68 oescRiPrio or QBflg'f 9"" H I CONDITIONS OF OPERATION or APPARATusi 34. 86 152C (1 54B) A=.O4 R=.04 Number B) A =.d34 l=0 Servo Re- ,1. Apparatus tturneclt T82 no audio signal yet A win a Inpu or a 36. 87 (154C) A =4.4 R=4.4 Servo Re- 2 Start signal applied from F Ol (no delay). 3 Delayed signal applied to Input 29 of 37. 88 (I548) Servo Rewind-=1 Play=iO4 I 106. 38. 75 (157C) I 4. Output of l07 applIed to QlO (I41), tape (138B, 159B) Servo 8 R=-02 runs and provides audio input at C-2 (l 19) 39. I573 ==l R=-73: 5 One audio rgiessage stops, but tape Sl" 40. 3 (157E) A=0 R=0 remains to e run counter not at en 74B Servo Ori=4 A=1.l R=.4 6 Message starts again.

TABLE IIIA-Continued DESCRIPTION OF CONDITIONS OF OPERATION OF APPARATUS l TABLE IV Continued TRANSISTOR CHARACTERISTICS 5 Transistor Type No. Note 2N34l5 2N5l72 2N5355 7. Message stops, and counter at end of count (after play as at 6 above). Description 1 NS 45 NS 45 PS 45 8. End of tape (after operating on play" JEDEC 98 98 98 mode as at 6 above). (TO) 1 9. End of tape after servo in rewind mode. Manufacturers GEC.SPR,SES,HUG GEC,SPR GEC,SPR l0. Tape motor on, rewinding (prior to 9). l0 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUMS;

These conditions are tabulated in TABLE IIIB and are the operating can at 11: 4 IOONA IOONA 25 IOONA 25 conditions referred to in TABLE mc' h at I (A) 3 360 224 .0l0 I75 .050

TABLE IIIB TABULATION OF OPERATION FACTORS DURING DIFFERENT OPERATING CONDITIONS Power Signal Signal at 106 Tape Audio Counter at End Servo No. On at 301 (Input via 29) Running Message On End of Count of Tape Position 1 O O O O O O P 2 O O O O O P 3 O O O P 4 O O P 5 O O O O P 6 O O P 7 O O R 8 O O R 9 O O O O P l0 O O O O O R LEGEND: o Off On P Play R Rewind TABLE MIC P N=NPN P=PNP TRANSISTOR MODE gs I ICOI'I DURING DIFFERENT OPERATING CONDITIONS TO numbers refer to Registered Transistor Oullines. Page 98 of TRANSISTOR Ref Conditions SPECIFICATIONS MANUAL 5th Edition (Join! Electronic Device Engineering ('uunci Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Key in Manufacturers, Page 160 of TRANSISTOR SPECIFICATIONS MANUAL 5th Edt' I66 1 C C S S S S C C C C 2; l On I I8 2 C C C C C C S C C C Maximum voltages that cannot be exceeded without permanent damage to the 122 3 S S S C S C S S S S "ansislm- 125 4 C C C S C s C C C C V CoIIect0r-to-basc voltage with emitter open. 127 5 S S S C S C S S S S V Collector-to-emitter voltage (base open, if no subscript indicated). [30 6 C C C S C S C C C C R Resistor between emitter and base. 132 7 S S S C S C s S S S S Short between emitter and base. 134 3 S S S S S S C C S C X B-E junction forward biased. 13 5 9 C C C C C C S S C S V Emitter-to-base reverse voltage with collector open. l4] I0 5 S C C S c S c C C v 142 l 1 C C S S C S C s S S TypIcal value of current gaIn for common cmIttcr configuratIon at current shown. 148 12 S S C C S C S C C C g g 2 Current between collector and base with the emitter open, at voltage shown. I57 15 C c C C c c s s S C 3:: 3:23:53; 13s 16 c C C S C S s s s S NFMM f I59 17 C c c S C S S s S s d LEGEND: :in megahertz. Transistor will operate at this frequency or higher. f I MS medium speed 5 Smumuo" G I, (gain-bandwidth product) 6: Maximum operating temperature (C) Conditions:

A Ambient C Case TRANSISTOR CHARACTERISTICS I Transistor Maximum power that cankbeitliissipated at 252C ambient for logwpower types (A) 25 case temperature for ig power types or at elevate case temperature Type No. Note 2N34l5 2N5172 2N5355 81 ?]S)Ctl0rt I NS9845 NS9845 PS9845 Maximum continuous collector current. (TO) 1 y Manufacturers GEC,SPR,SES,HUG GEC,SPR GEC,SPR

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUMS: TABLE V V, 2 25 25 25 VCE 2 25 25 25 7490A V 2 5 5 40 RESET/COUNT FUNCTION TABLE Collector I Current (A) 8 .500 ,100 300 Reset Inputs. Output Power w 7 .360 A .200 A .360 A m w an m t: 8 4 Temp. 100.] I25] (C) 6 H H L X L L L L Frequency H H X L L L L L Response (MH 5 MS SW 120.0006 250.0000 X X H H H L L H Cutoff X L X L COUNT 

1. An input conductor connected to the output of said tape head on said motorboard a plate of one polarity of a capacitator directly connected to said input, the plate of opposite polarity of said capacitator being connected to the negative terminal of a first diode and the positive terminal of a second diode, the negative terminal of which second diode is grounded;
 1. A message and background music sound producing apparatus comprising, in operative combination, a tape recorder deck, an audience sensing means, electric power voltage source, motor control circuit, a listening circuit, a background music source, a switching circuit, an amplifier and a loudspeaker in operative combination; a. said tape recorder deck comprising a motorboard supporting an electromagnetic tape head, a tape reel support and an electric motor, said motor having an input terminal and an output terminal and said motor operatively connected to said tape reel support in driving relation therewith; said motor control circuit connecting said motor to electric power means therefor, an electrical output means on said electromagnetic tape head operatively connected to a first signal input means of said switching circuit and, in parallel therewith, to an input of said listening circuit, said first signal input means of said switching circuit operatively connected to an output terminal of said switching circuit through a transistor switching unit when the switching circuit is in tape broadcast mode and disconnected from said output terminal when the switching circuit is in background music broadcast mode; a trigger signal input terminal in said switching circuit operatively connected to said transistor switching unit in said switching circuit whereby to change the mode of said switching circuit from broadcast music mode to tape broadcast mode; b. said background music source having an electrical output signal terminal operatively connected in series with a second signal input of said switching circuit and through said transistorized switching unit in said switching circuit to the signal output of said switching circuit when said switching circuit is in its background music mode; said switching circuit output operatively connected to the signal input of said amplifier, said amplifier having a signal output means operatively connected to the signal input of said loudspeaker; c. audience sensing means operatively connEcted to switch means completing circuit connection to ground from said motor on said tape deck to said voltage source; d. said listening circuit comprising
 2. A first NPN transistor to the base of which are attached the positive terminal of the first diode and one end of a first bleeding resistor, the other end of which first bleeding resistor is attached to a positive voltage and the emitter of which first transistor is grounded;
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the collector of the first transistor is connected to a low voltage end of a first transistor load resistor, another higher voltage portion of which load resistor is below said positive voltage and is connected to a. the base of a fourth transistor through the collector and emitter of which a circuit is completed for said motor on said motorboard, and to b. the base of said second transistor and through a resistor, and c. a low voltage end of a second load resistor for said first transistor and a high voltage end of which second load resistor is connected to said positive voltage; d. the collector of a fifth transistor, the base of which is connected to the collector of said third transistor and the emitter of which fifth transistor is connected to ground whereby to cut off conduction through said fourth transistor on cessation of audio signal to said input to said listening circuit; e. the base of said fifth transistor being connected to a conduction inhibiting signal source conductor from said motor circuit.
 2. A first NPN transistor to the base of which are attached the positive terminal of the first diode and one end of a first bleeding resistor, the other end of which first bleeding resistor is attached to a positive voltage and the emitter of which first transistor is grounded;
 3. A second NPN transistor, the emitter of which is grounded and the collector of which connects to said positive voltage through a second load resistor and which collector is also attached to one plate of one polarity of a second capacitator, another plate of opposite polarity of which capacitator is connected to the base of said first transistor, and
 4. the collector of said first transistor is connected to i. base of a third NPN transistor the emitter of which is grounded and the collector of which is connected through a load resistor to said positive voltage and said collector of said third transistor is connected to a trigger signal line which is operatively connected to the trigger signal input terminal of said first switching circuit whereby to cut off the background music signal between said first input of the switching circuit and the output thereof on cessation of audio signal to the input of said listening circuit and a time lapse controlled by said second capacitator and said bleeding resistor, and also ii. the collector of the first transistor also is connected to the base of said second transistor, and iii. the collector of the first transistor is connected to said positive voltage through a first transistor load resistor and the emitter of said first transistor is grounded.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 including a. a servo control resistor means sensitive to increased current through the motor circuit as at the end of tape condition thereof; b. a servo motor operatively connected to said tape reel support; c. a servo triggering means operatively connected to a electrical power source therefor and having an output operatively connected to said servo motor and an input operatively connected to said servo control resistor; d. a reversing mechanism operatively connected to said servo motor and said tape reels; e. said means sensitive to increased current through the motor circuit operatively connected to the said input of said servo motor triggering means the output of which is operatively connected to said servo motor whereby to automatically reverse the direction of said reels at end of tape.
 3. A second NPN transistor, the emitter of which is grounded and the collector of which connects to said positive voltage through a second load resistor and which collector is also attached to one plate of one polarity of a second capacitator, another plate of opposite polarity of which capacitator is connected to the base of said first transistor, and
 4. the collector of said first transistor is connected to i. base of a third NPN transistor the emitter of which is grounded and the collector of which is connected through a load resistor to said positive voltage and said collector of said third transistor is connected to a trigger signal line which is operatively connected to the trigger signal input terminal of said first switching circuit whereby to cut off the background music signal between said first input of the switching circuit and the output thereof on cessation of audio signal to the input of said listening circuit and a time lapse controlled by said second capacitator and said bleeding resistor, and also ii. the collector of the first transistor also is connected to the base of said second transistor, and iii. the collector of the first transistor is connected to said positive voltage through a first transistor load resistor and the emitter of said first transistor is grounded.
 4. Process of playing a series of audio sales messages alternatively with background audio messages comprising steps of a. Repetitively and automatically sensing at a fixed location the presence of an movable audience in the vicinity of a loudspeaker at said location and automatically responsive to each such sensing, immediately b. i. initiating passage of a first magnetic tape past a playback head in one, play, direction, ii. developing and picking up electrical audio signals from sequential portions of said first magnetic tape and passing said signals to an audio amplifier and to said loudspeaker and to a signal sensing assembly, iii. moving the first tape past the said playback head continuously responsive to the presence of said oscillatory electrical audio signal on said tape for varying lengths of time and for a predetermined time thereafter in each play period, iv. at the termination of each such period, terminating the passage of said tape past said head and passing a signal of such terminating to a counter and automatically initiating play of a second audio input through said loudspeaker and wherein a second audio signal from said second audio input is passed to the audio amplifier and loudspeaker during intervals between the termination of one period of picking up signals from said first tape and beginning of another period of picking up audio signals from another portion of said first tape.
 5. Process as in claim 4 wherein a. said period of play of said second audio input is automatically and immediately interrupted by another sensing of an audience in the vicinity of said loudspeaker at said location, and b. automatically responsive to such another sensing, immediately b. i. initiating passage of said first magnetic tape past said playback head in said, play, direction, ii. developing and picking up electrical audio signals from sequential portions of said first magnetic tape and passing said signals to said audio amplifier and to said loudspeaker and to a signal sensing assembly, iii. moving the first tape past the said playback head continuously responsive to the presence of said osciallatory electrical audio signal on said tape for varying lengths of time and for a predetermined time thereafter in each play period, iv. at the termination of each such period, terminating the passage of said tape past said head and passing a signal of such terminating to a counter and automatically initiating play of a second audio input through said loudspeaker and wherein said second audio signal from said second audio input is passed to the audio amplifier and loudspeaker during intervals between the termination of one period of picking up signals from said first tape and beginning of another period of picking up signals from another portion of said first tape. 